Back to Body Basics

Question 1: Christina tell us a little bit about your PT journey and why you chose to focus on foot health as a niche? It all started when my Mom showed me a segment from Dr Oz she thought I’d like.  Sue Hitzmann from MELT Method was on. I loved her books on foot health and biomechanics. Started wearing barefoot shoes. This led me to Yoga Tune UP, NKT, ID & finally Anatomy in Motion.  Once I learned AiM that was it for me…I’m hooked & getting better results for myself & clients since I’ve been implementing this method.  Based on the mechanics of our walking pattern.

Question 2: What is the most common pattern or injury you see in your practice? How do you treat it? I attract a lot of people with general foot pain, plantar fasciitis, ankle pain, toe pain.  And the causes are not always the same.  Someone can have high arched feet, flat feet or medium arched feet - I have to evaluate them and look at their whole body to figure out what the biggest contributors are.

Question 3: The significance of the big toe? And foot health in general. How can we as movers and providers help our pt.’s feet stay mobile and how as professionals can we ensure we include feet into our evaluations? I do recommend learning a few quick functional foot tests you can do on your patients to screen them for foot issues.  The big toe can really limit our propulsion because we need 60 degrees of extension for a good “push off” / windlass mechanism. 

Question 4: How do you in your practice perform a foot assessment/gait assessment? And what specific things are you looking for? There are 3 main tests I use for feet:  tripod test, big toe test and pronation test. These test give me tons of helpful info about foot function. I look for:  bearing weight through wide stable tripod, foot shape changing from high to low arched, big toe extending to 60, foot getting wider/flatter/longer as person bends knee & puts weight on it (shock absorption and loading the rubber band). 

My gait assessment is done with video- I put it on slow motion and step by step look for the movements that should be happening, compare sides, etc. you can get a lot of clues about the movements they cannot do well in gait by taking them through a series of movements at the skull, rib cage and pelvis.

Question 5: Are bunions genetic? Not in most cases, I think it’s about 3% that might be genetic. Sometimes it’s shoes but often someone has a bunion on one side so I think of foot mechanics and walking mechanics as the biggest factors.

Question 6: Can you explain your optimal foot health program or HEP for “happy feet” I’m a big fan of using AiM foot wedges.  They help you keep your tripod grounded as you make the 2 foot shapes and 2 leg shapes we need for fluid walking pattern. Then you connect those foot and leg shapes to whole body shapes related to gait.

Question 7: The foot's impact with preventing falls? Feet sense the ground beneath us, help us react from the ground up.  If our feet are like stiff blocks then we have a much more limited way of interacting with and responding to the ground.

Question 8: What kind of footwear do you recommend to your clients? If they feel good barefoot then barefoot shoes as tolerated. Sometimes I recommend a transitional shoe such as Altra to give them cushioning but allow more natural movement. Some do benefit from some support and some benefit from an elevated heel if they have a stiff ankle. 

Question 9: Where can we find you? @foundationsptofwny on IG and FB/ Free FB  group Healthy Feet, Healthy Body/www.FoundationsPTWNY.com

Question 10: Any special offers or upcoming events? 5 week series of Movement Foundations classes with FB group coming up Oct 7th Code : BODYBASICS register at foundationsptwny.com

Chrisitna’s free virtual consult link: http://equipt360.comwidget/bookings/coaching-consult-christina

Question 11: What does back to body basics mean to you?

App mentioned in episode -Onform

Holly’s Background: Holly has a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Michigan and a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Miami, movement has been her passion and profession for years. She’s also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Certified in Prenatal and Postpartum Corrective Exercise, and a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200 Hr). Her diverse training background allows her to approach fitness from multiple angles, ensuring a comprehensive and effective approach.

Holly’s Approach: Having personally experienced the frustrations of ineffective exercise routines, Holly has dedicated herself to mastering programming that delivers results. With a focus on empowering both men and women through weightlifting, she believe’s in the preventative power of movement for health and longevity and states, it's our responsibility to prioritize movement as a daily part of our life. She firmly believes that lifting weights is not only key for aging well, fat loss and physique transformation but also crucial for safely navigating pregnancy and motherhood.

Why Now? In today's fast-paced world, prioritizing one’s health is more crucial than ever. A consistent movement routine not only enhances physical well-being but also builds resilience against injury, aches, and pains that can creep up with age. She acknowledges that after 30, we start losing muscle mass at an accelerated rate. That's why she’s so passionate about empowering people through weightlifting, debunking myths, and guiding them towards tangible results.

Holly’s Mission: Holly is committed to helping people move mindfully and strategically, ensuring they reach their goals safely and effectively. By prioritizing weightlifting with corrective exercise and offering tailored guidance, her aim is to empower people to unlock their full potential, both in fitness and in life.

Disclaimer: the information discussed in the episode is not medical advice and should not replace your current regime. Please consult with your medical provider before making any lifestyle, movement, or diet changes.

Where can we find you?

Any special offers or upcoming events?

*Correction to CSCS mentioned within the episode is Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist

Episode 11 ft. Gail Toupin of Rooted Doula-

Bio: A little bit about our guest …Gail is the founder of Rooted Doula LLC and lover of all things birth.  She’s passionate about life and attribute’s her passion for birth, motherhood, and the beauty of the family to her Catholic faith. A few years ago, she was on the path to becoming a physical therapist but felt God nudging her in a different direction. She withdrew her acceptance to physical therapy school without any plans for her future career. A few months later, a close friend of hers suggested she look into becoming a doula, and after much research and prayer, she fell in love with the profession and started her own doula business-Rooted Doula.

Outside of doula-ing, Gail is a fur mom to her sweet and social cat, Harley. She’s also a Godmother to her beautiful niece, Emma, and an aunt to her favorite dog in the world, Kylo. When she’s not supporting families as a doula, you can find her singing, listening to podcasts, engaging in my church community, getting coffee with friends or family, or spending time at her family's cottage in Au Gres, MI. She loves to stay active - kickboxing, yoga, and running are her favorites. She is also a proud alum of the University of Michigan... Go Blue! Gail is also a certified health coach, and she’s currently pursuing full accreditation for becoming a Doula with DONA International :) It was my pleasure of speaking with and hearing the passion behind Gail’s mission and her love of helping others during our episode! Let’s give a warm welcome to Gail Toupin with Rooted Doula.

Disclaimer: the information discussed in the episode is not medical advice and should not replace your current regime. Please consult with your medical provider before making any lifestyle, movement, or diet changes.

Question 1: Tell us a little bit about your journey into becoming a doula provider? And can you define what a doula is or does?

Question 2: Why did you want to start your own practice as a doula? And can you tell us your mission/vision for rooted-doula?!

Question 3: Describe your services as a lactation and birth doula support? Are these roles specific to you or are there other services or niches other doulas provide?

Question 4: What is the difference between a doula and midwife?

Question 5: What are some things first time doula users should know?  

Question 6: What advice would you give to first time mommas? 

Question 7:How have you as a doula been received by other healthcare providers? Any tensions? 

Question 8:  What in your opinion are moms' biggest fears when entering the postpartum period?

Question 9: Where can we find you?

rooted-doula.com  & IG @gailtoupin

Question 10: Any special offers or upcoming events?

Question 11: What does back to body basics mean to you?

Intro

Jaclyn Shedden is a nurse practitioner and owner of Blue Skye Health & Wellness in Tampa, FL. She specializes in hormone, thyroid and gut health. She has been in the nursing profession since 2004 and loves using a functional medicine approach to help empower and educate her patients. She is wife and mother to two beautiful girls who are 5 and 15 months and her 10 year old maltese Willow. Let’s give a warm welcome to Jaclyn of Blue Skye Health.

Disclaimer: the information discussed in the episode is not medical advice and should not replace your current regime. Please consult with your medical provider before making any lifestyle, movement, or diet changes.

Ice breaker: Have you ever performed in a talent show? If so, what was your talent?

Question 1: Tell us a little bit about your journey into nursing and healthcare.

Question 2: Why did you want to start your own practice and Tell us your mission/vision for BlueSkye Health!

Question 3: The importance of hormones and gut health? What is leaky gut and it’s symptoms? and how do you help patients with this syndrome?

Question 4: Can you give us a Spark notes version of our thyroid and what warning signs or symptoms we may experience if it’s not functioning properly?

Question 5: Can you talk to us about what your typical complaint is for women that come into your office today? ℅ of men? Do you see any trends?

Question 6: What is the gold standard for hormone testing? What should women prioritize when 

getting these tests done as far as comprehensive testing goes? Do women of menopausal age receive the same or different tests? And Men’s testing, what should they be looking for?

Question 7: many of our listeners are of childbearing years….and women, sooooo what is your advice for women who are TTC and optimize their hormones. What shouldn't they do?

Question 8:  What is our metabolic age and how do you determine it?

Question 9: Where can we find you?

-Facebook: Blue Skye Health

-Instagram:@blueskyehealth

-Website: blueskyehealth.com

Question 10: Any special offers or upcoming events?

-Ask about joining her new Beta Testing program!!

Question 11: What does back to body basics mean to you?

Intro & Birth Story

Question 2: Tell us a little bit about your diverse movement background and training and how you think it helped you prepare for birth?

Movement background/training: dance, swimming, tris, strength training, mobility training, competitor and performer at heart.

Question 3:Why is movement so important when preparing for birth?

Top 3: 1. Promote ideal positioning of fetus for delivery 2. Reduce time spent in labor 3. Shorter/easier recovery, Not to mention countless benefits for baby!

Question 4: Did you follow your own programming or did you seek outside support for this new venture? Is it important to follow strict guidelines for each trimester?

I programmed my training myself. Guidelines by trimester are a good place to start. The biggest changes in training come (1) at the end of the first trimester, (2) when you start showing/feeling the effects of your growing tummy (the timing of this varies a lot from person to person), and (3) towards the end of your third trimester when your fitness has peaked and you shift into preparing for labor and delivery.

Question 5: What is one (or two lol) things that you wish you would have known going into this experience and would like to share to another first time mom or someone TTC?

First and half of second trimester nipple sensitivity!!!, you change and your circle changes, breastfeeding is not a weight loss solution, It does shrink uterus faster, It does burn a lot of calories, But most women I’ve encountered held on to 10-15lbs including me

Question 6: How did you fuel your body while pregnant and then with breastfeeding? Did you give yourself extra carbs during this time for energy and healing? 

Question 7: Was there a mindset shift you knew you'd have to make before training for birth?

Not training for performance outcomes. Shifting focus to training my pelvic floor, core, parental “ADLs” labor training in 3rd trimester, and intently LISTENING to my body,“Front loading” to make recovery faster and easier, Not being in control of my body.

Question 8: What was the most helpful content you consumed to help you prepare for your new bundle of joy? Podcasts, books, practitioners etc?

Books:

Ina may’s guide to childbirth

What to expect the first year Heidi murkoff

MUSIC and dancing lots and lots and lots of music - all kinds

Women’s health:

Beyond the pill Jolene brighten

Pronatal fitness - pronatal fitness coach

IG:

Taking cara babies

Fit for birth

Pronatal fitness

Theequiptmama

Thelabormama 

Midwifemarley

Getboober

Pregnant.postpartum.athlete

Question 9: Tell us a little bit about your brand Body Articulate?

Personal training/animal flow, Body awareness, intentional movement, strength outside of the gym focused, joy of movement and an active life

Question 10: What does back to body basics mean to you?

Simplicity is the best solution, movement is the best medicine, moderation and consistency make lasting changes.

Question 11: Upcoming events or offerings…?

Question 12: How can we find you?

IG/Threads: @bodyarticulate, PROnatal fitness website, StrongFirst website, Stick Mobility website? Podcast, Animal Flow website

In this episode Randall touches on his experience with the carnivore diet, his overall health and wellness tips for starters, and habits for longevity. You can find Randall on his personal IG page @gilly_3 or on his fitness page @exaltfitness and on Facebook search Exźalt Fitness.

Study referenced in Episode:

-Ice breaker

Question 1: Tell us a little bit about yourself and why you decided to get into physical therapy? And your practice today.

Personal realization: My wife is a strong driver behind my actions and I've received her permission to share this.

Witnessed firsthand the impact of Lupus on my wife's body and energy, Strived to find ways to help her despite the deceptive nature of autoimmune issues, Became vulnerable and prioritized my wife's needs, Help people connect to their muscles and bodies by identifying their missing link without shame or feeling wrong.

Question 2: What type of clientele do you serve and who are your ideal clients?

I work with high achievers who intellectually get what they need to do but can’t seem to ‘feel’ or ‘experience’ how to achieve it. And not make shame and guilt be their main drivers. 

Question 3: How does our nervous system affect movement?

I’ll keep it simple by going into our autonomic responses first.

Question 4: How can we better connect our minds to our bodies in order to move more efficiently? Tips, tricks, do’s or don’ts?

I love and appreciate this question. I’m going to be a bit specific so I say this by potentially neglecting a certain aspect. 

Explain about the nervous system 2 way highways. 

Question 5: Can you go into more detail on the mind-body matrix? The Thinker, Integrated connected, The disconnected, & the jock and how we can change based on where we currently are?

Question 6: Can you give a case study or how you help heal individuals experiencing chronic pain?

-Case Study

Before I start I want to talk about several important points that helps us through chronic pain 

Question 7: Would you consider yourself a typical physical therapist? And would you care to talk more about where you think the PT profession is headed?  

I want to think that I am a typical physical therapist. The feedback I receive from others suggests that I am not. A common thing I have heard is that I help find the missing link to connect wherever the person is. 

I’m not sure where our PT profession is headed. I do think there will be a need for stronger unity and working together as a profession. With insurance reimbursements going down and educational costs going up, it’s not looking great as a whole. I have no idea what we need to do but it does seem a bigger movement is going to happen in the next 20 years. 

Question 8: What does back to body basics mean to you?

There is nothing more important than fundamentals in my eyes. My current most fundamental thing is to create an experience of safety in order to get a starting point. 

Human Connection,Safety, Movement, Sun light ,Sleep, Eat well, Recover well 

These are simple but not easy things for us to do. Within these, every individual has their unique way to work with these. 

Question 8: Upcoming events or offerings…?

If you want to get a sneak peak of the nervous system,  DM or email me “BODYBASICS” will send you Part I of the 7 part program :). 

Question 9: How can we find you?

Follow me at  KamiyamaPT in IG! 

DM me if you have difficulty with body and muscle connection. 

If you like other methods, feel free to contact me [email protected] 

Or call 201-305-9665. Make sure to leave a message though. I usually do not pick up the phone 😎. 

Question 1: tell us about the work you do and how it has improved not only your mental health but your clients?

I teach yin and restorative yoga, mainly, and these slower, passive practice really provide the time and space to help you integrate all the healing work you may be doing in therapy or whatever other ways you’re trying to overcome whatever you’re trying to overcome. For me, personally, I’ve learned through experience that you can find the best therapist in the whole world but it doesn’t make any difference at all if you’re not actually willing to WORK to apply what you’re learning in therapy to make REAL changes in your life.

Question 2: What are some major stressors that you've noticed in the clients that you work with and women in general?

Many, many women (and people in general) are also trying to exist through all this while also trying manage symptoms that are a direct result (whether they realize it or not) from past traumas whether that’s domestic situations or childhood trauma in all its various forms. 

Question 3: What are some practical applications for us to implement throughout our day?

If I only had 30 minutes to teach someone something and I’d never see them again, it would 100% be meditation. Specifically, I’d teach a gratitude practice.

You can do this by journaling-writing down 3 things you’re grateful for every single day, but you can also practice this in meditation form.

Question 4: How can yoga, meditation and mindfulness increase our wellbeing and emotional health?

Yoga is a holistic approach to heal the entire being rather than just-focusing on fixing your brain with pharmaceuticals (not that I’m against them–in many cases, they’re life-saving, just don’t address the root of the issues), fixing the body by prescribing other pharmaceuticals or surgeries or whathaveyou, and fixing the soul with church or AA or whatever a person has found community in. Yoga addresses each piece so we’re not only addressing all your experiences that have come together to create your current sense of self, but we’re bringing that movement piece too which we know is vital to a healthy body and a happy mind.

Question 5: what are some breath practices that you may give to a client that experiences anxiety?

4, 7, 8 breathing is my absolute fav and it is, to this day, my go-to for managing an anxiety attack and even fending off a full-blown panic attack. I’ll walk us through this too.

Question 6: How does our environment play a factor in how we feel on a day to day basis?

There’s only so much control we have in any given moment over our environments and we most likely can’t change everything all at once. But what we DO have control over is our mindset. And that’s where a daily gratitude practice can come in as we start to make small changes to build a life that supports and environment conducive to our wellbeing.

Question 7: What are your tips for starting a meditation practice?

1. Start small, and make it a “challenge” to build the habit. 2. it doesn’t have to be fancy, you don’t need an app, and you don’t need to sit a certain way. Laying or seated is fine. 3. each time you direct your awareness back to your anchor, you can think of it like a bicep curl for your attention muscles. 

Question 8: What does back to body basics mean to you?

It means addressing the whole human from the ground up–building sustainable habits to live a well-rounded, balanced, FUNCTIONAL life for ourselves, our families, and our communities so that we can get away from all these “fixes” and instead create lives that support our wellbeing right from the get-go.

Question 9: Upcoming events or offerings…?

I teach Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays at Society Yoga in Lafayette, IN.

Question 10: How can we find you?

@katie.schopp.yoga or email me at [email protected] – I love to connect and hold space for people if ever they feel drawn to do that

Episode 5: Don't Trust A Warrior Who Doesn't Cry: An Intro Into Men's Mental Health with Michael Hernandez

Bio:

Michael Hernandez is a well-rounded individual who has excelled in various fields throughout his life. He started his professional journey by joining the Marine Corps and serving for eight years, after serving he went on to become a Firefighter/ Paramedic which he is now retired from.

Michael is a highly qualified fitness and wellness expert with a Bachelor's degree from the University of Miami. He has spent over 15 years as a strength and conditioning coach, a CrossFit level 2 coach for 12 years, and a trauma-informed yoga teacher. He is also a graduate of the Wim Hoff academy and uses his expertise in breath work and mindfulness as an XPT performance coach. Michael’s biggest strength is Men's mental health.

Michael is passionate about helping people develop resilience, mindfulness, and physical strength. He is a certified trauma-informed yoga teacher and uses his knowledge to help people overcome physical and emotional trauma. As a father and surfer, he values the importance of a balanced lifestyle and actively engages in the activities that make him happy.

Whether he is teaching yoga, coaching athletes, or helping people breathe their way to better health, Michael is a dedicated and compassionate guide who prioritizes his clients' well-being above all else.

Episode Questions:

(2:02-3:46) Ice Breaker: What’s the wildest thing you have ever done?! Gotta keep it PG13 tho lol

(3:55-13:20) Question 1: So, I know you have such an extensive background and do many things from training to breath work etc., so how did you land in Men’s Mental Health? Was it your experience as a Marine and saw a gap in that population? A general interest? Both? 

(13:21-19:50) Question 2: From your experience, what are some major areas in which men tend to struggle with mental health and wellness? And what do you do specifically to address their concerns?

(19:56-25:02) Question 3 (viewer question): What hormones play a role in Men’s mental health?

(25:06-30:17) Question 4: What does trauma informed mean and how do you help men overcome a traumatic experience?

(30:18-34:18) Question 5: Is there a specific experience of a client that you are able to share that you find has impacted you and your practice?

(34:19-38:17) Question 6: How does the importance of community help individuals heal and integrate back into their lives.

(38:18-42:24) Question 7: What is the biggest misconception around men's mental health? 

(42:25-45:50) Question 8: What would you say to someone who is struggling right now with their mental health?

(45:51-47:55) Question 9: What does back to body basics mean to you?

(47:51-48:48) Upcoming events or offerings…?

May 6th Sovereign Saturday

Multiple retreats are in the works

Sovereign Saturday is our 4 hour workshop

Stay tuned 

(48:49- 50:41) Ways people can find you: 

⁠[email protected]⁠

727-686-3457

 IG   @strong_surfing_yogi